US closes China’s Houston consulate ‘to protect intellectual property’ – The National
- Date: 22-Jul-2020
- Source: The National
- Sector:Real Estate
- Country:Oman
US closes China’s Houston consulate ‘to protect intellectual property’ – The National
The move comes amid heightened tension between the world's largest economies
A fire engine is seen outside Chinese consulate in Houston on July 21, 2020. Media reports in Houston said that authorities had responded to reports of a fire at the consulate. AP Photo
July 22, 2020
July 22, 2020
The US ordered China to close its Houston consulate, marking a dramatic escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two hostile superpowers.
The State Department said the decision was taken to protect American intellectual property and private information.
Spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said the Vienna Convention says countries "have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs" of the receiving state.
"The United States will not tolerate the China's violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs and other egregious behaviour,“ Ms Ortagus said without giving specific details.
Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Wang Wenbin condemned the move and said countermeasures would be taken if the US did
Select Sector 
Select Country 
